Table construction.



CHARLES VJ. LANDAUERpClF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

TABLE oons'rnuorron.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 10, 1916.

Application filed March 4, 1915. Serial No. 12,037.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES W. LAN- DAUER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented certain'new and useful Improvements in Table Constructions; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a table construction and has especial reference to a means by which legs of a table may be detachably connected with the table top.

It is the object and purpose of the invention to provide a construction to be used in detach'ably connecting a table top and the legs thereof in which a leg may be inserted in a socket and automatically locked in position when it reaches its inner position.

i A further object of the invention is to provide a socket member made entirely of sheet metal which may be stamped readily from stock so that the cost of manufacture is very small.

These and other purposes not specifically enumerated and the structure for attaining them will be apparent as understanding is had of the embodiment of the invention disclosed in the accompanying drawing, in which;

Figures 1 and 2 show in side elevation, with parts of the table in section, the manner of attachment of the table legs in two opposed corners of the table, the legs being in the process of insertion in the sockets. Fig. 3 is a plan view from beneath one corner of the table top, the leg being removed; and Fig. 4: is a perspective View of a socket member, two of which are used in forming a socket for each table leg.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

The top of the table is shown at 1 and it has on the underside thereof the usual depending side and end members 2 which members at the corners of the table are positioned at right angles to each other as best shown in Fig. 8. The socket members are secured to the parts 2 at each of the corners. Each socket member comprises a side 3 integral with which is a side 4, the sides 3 and 4 being positioned at right angles to each other, and the side 3 at its free edge having a section 3* turned therefrom at an angle. Braces 5 may be struck from the sides 3 and 4:, respectively, as shown in Fig. 4- serving to keep the sides 3 and t from approaching each other nearer than at an angle of 90 degrees. In the application of the socket members to the table two of them aroused in each corn-er in the mannerindicated in Fig.

3 with the sides 3 lying against the depending members 2 and with the sections 3 received in slots 2 cut in the inner sides of said members 2, being firmly attached to the members 2 by a screw or other suitable fastening as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The socket formed between the outwardly eX- tending members a and the sides 2 is rectangular in outline and is adapted to receive the upper end of the table leg.

In each of the members 4: an elongated opening 6 is cut and a spring 7 is attached to the side a having a portion 8 bent inwardly so as to project within the socket, being thereafter bent outwardly back through the opening shown at 9 and terminating in a handle 10 by which it may be operated. The table leg 11 on two of its sides is provided with notches 12 so that when inserted in the socket the inwardly projecting sections 8 of the spring seat in the notches, holding the leg in place. It will be observed that the portion 8 of the spring is at an incline and when the end of the table leg bears against it the spring will be forced outwardly, but that the section 9 is located substantially horizontal forming a stop and preventing the withdrawal of the leg until, by manual operation of the spring through the handles 11, the spring is moved so as to disengage from notches 12. A

The socket member shown in Fig. 4: is very cheaply and easily manufactured. It can be readily attached to the table top with a minimum effort. A leg when inserted in the socket formed between the depending portions 2 and 3 of the socket members is very firmly retained and to all effects and purposes is rigid with the table top. By reason of the angular extension 8 but a single screw is required to attach the socket member in place, the engagement of the section 3 in the notch 2 preventing any pivotal movement of the socket member on the screw.

Various modifications in detail may be resorted to without departing from the invention. The construction of the braces 5 may be modified and the spring 7 may, if desired, be struck directly from the side 45. All such modifications however, do not change the principle or mode of operation of the construction; and all modifications falling Within the scope of the appended claims are to be considered as comprehended bythe invention.

I claim 1. In combination, a table top provided with depending members forming angular cornersbeneath the top, a pair of socket members each comprised of sides located at an angle toeach other positioned adjacent each corner and attached to the depending members by securing one of the sides of each socketmember to a depending member leaving the other side projecting inwardly from the depending'member to thereby form a socket between the depending member and "said inwardly projecting side, a table leg having a notch in a side thereof adjacent its upper end, said end being inserted into the socket, and a spring on an inwardly extending side extending into the socket and seating in the notch, said spring being formed to resist an outward movement of the leg but permitting a free inward movement into the socket, substantially as described. I

2. A socket member adapted to be connected to a table, comprised of sides positioned at an angle to each other, a spring secured to and bent outwardly from one of said sidesand then bent backwardly through the side terminating in an operating handle, and an extension bent at an angle from the Copies 0! this patent may beobtained for edge of the other side, substantially as described.

3. In combination, a table top having depending members forming angular corners beneath the top, each of said members being provided with a vertical slot on its inner face, and a pair of socket members at each I corner to form a socket adapted to receive a each corner, means connecting one of the sides of each socket member to a depending member with the other side extending inwardly from said member, thereby forming a socket between the depending members and said inwardly extending sides, springs connected to each of said sides and extend ing-into the socket, and a table leg having notches in twosides thereof inserted in the socket with the springs seated in the notches, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES W. LANDAUER. -Witnesses:

Y FRANK E. LIVERANGE, Jr.,

H. H. YARRINGTON.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. 0. 

